In memoriam: Isabel McPhee Berney, member of Virginia Tech’s Institutional Review Board

Isabel McPhee Berney, a longtime member of Virginia Tech’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), died peacefully on Nov. 16, 2021, after a valiant struggle with breast cancer. 

Berney provided over 20 years of service to the Virginia Tech IRB.

Berney, a retired director of instructional technology for Pulaski County Schools, spent over 40 years in the New River Valley, contributing as an active community voice on various boards, including the Blue Ridge Public Television Board, the Radford school and library boards, the Blacksburg Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Virginia Blue Ridge — an organization she founded.

In January of this year, AARP Blacksburg honored Berney with its Community Spirit Award to recognize a member whose efforts improve lives for the over-50 community. 

Berney was preceded in death by husbands Donald Berney and Morton Nadler. She is survived by three daughters, Elizabeth Berney, Adrienne Berney, and Leonore Nadler; son-in-law, Rich Kaznicki; five grandchildren — Wren Berney (Dakota Rose), Nate Berney, Elaina Berney, Clio Berney, and Desta Nadler; and sisters Margaret McPhee Miano and Katherine McPhee Hinds.

A memorial service and celebration of Berney’s life will be held Dec. 19, 3:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1301 Gladewood Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia. With current social distancing requirements, seating will be limited. Contact administrator@uucnrv.org to obtain Zoom information for remote attendance.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Funeral Consumers' Alliance of the Virginia Blue Ridge.